Step-ladder attachment



y 1962 c. BUTLER 3,042,142

STEP-LADDER ATTACHMENT Filed Aug. 25, 1959 yi m L-eywxix'JJIYIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII/A INVENTOR. CHRISTOPHER L. BUTLER,

FIG. 2 BY 3,042,142 STEP-LADDER ATTACHMENT Christopher L. Butler, 1407S. Morin St., Eustis, Fla. Filed Aug. 25, 1959, Ser. No. 835,866 3Claims. (Cl. 182-129) This invention relates to step-ladder stabilizingattachments particularly for use on uneven surfaces, over windows andthe like, and in particular a work or tool holding tray mounted by aswivel connection on a panel clamped to the head of a step-ladder, and abar attached to the extended edge of the tray for bridging the sides ofa window frame whereby a step-ladder may be used on the outside of awindow, or on an uneven surface with safety.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a step-ladder support orattachment that makes it possible to use a stepladder on uneven surfacesor over windows and the like with safety.

Various types of attachments have been provided for ladders,step-ladders, and the like. In some instances extensions have beenconnected to legs of ladders to compensate for uneven ground, andvarious types of braces have been used on upper ends of ladders.However, it is difficult to adjust such devices so that the ladders maybe used with safety.

With this thought in mind this invention contemplates a bar attached toa tray mounted by a swivel on the upper end of a step-ladder whereby thetray or bar twists to correspond with an uneven surface so that with alittle adjustment the ladder assumes a rigid and safe position.

The object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a levelingattachment for a step-ladder in which the attachment is mounted by aswivel connection to the head or upper end of the step-ladder.

Another object of the invention is to provide a stabilizing attachmentfor a step-ladder that is designed to be installed on step-ladders nowin use, and without changing the step-ladder.

A further object of the invention is to provide a tool holding andstabilizing attachment for a step-ladder in which the attachment is of asimple and economical construction.

With these and other objects and advantages in view the inventionembodies a panel having a C-clamp, or clamps thereon for mounting thepanel on the head of a step-ladder, a work or tool tray mounted on thepanel by a swivel connection, and a bar removably connected to anextended edge of the tray.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from thefollowing description taken in connection with the drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing a step-ladder with the attachmentof this invention on the upper end and with a bar attached to a tray ofthe attachment that may be extended across a window frame;

FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of the step-ladder and attachment partlybroken away and partly in section, showing a tray of this attachmentspaced above a panel mounted on the head of a step-ladder;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal section through the stepladder attachmentshowing the swivel connection between the tray and the panel that is tobe clamped on the head of a step-ladder;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view looking toward the front of theattachment with parts of the supporting bar and the angle bar on theextended edge of the tray being broken away;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view through one side ofthe attachment showing the panel clamped to the head of the step-ladderand with parts broken away, and

nite States Patent 9 3,042,142 Patented July 3, 1962 FIGURE 6 is adetailed sectional view of the angle bar of the attachment with parts ofthe bar being broken away.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference characters are usedto designate like parts the safety attachment for the step-ladder ofthis invention includes a panel 10 having clamps 11 and 12 dependingtherefrom, a tray having an opening therein with a beveled edge 15 thatis positioned to receive a frustro-conical-shaped stud 14 extended fromthe panel 10, an L-shaped bar 20 secured to the extended edge of thetray 13 and a bar 16' of sufficient length to bridge across a windowframe, that may be received in and removably secured to the L-shaped bar20.

The panel 10 is of sufficient size to be clamped upon a head or topplatform of a step-ladder, as shown in FIG- URE 2, by the clamps 11 and12. With the panel 10 nested on the step-ladder the stud 14 extendsupwardly from the upper surface of the panel 10, and with the openinghaving the beveled edge 15 of the tray 13 positioned over the stud 14 aswivel joint is provided whereby with the parts in position, and withthe upper end of the step-ladder placed against an uneven wall surfacethe tray will twist finding a correct position so that the step-ladderwill be rigidly held or stabilized.

The tray 13 is of trapezoidal shape, and the edges are provided withmolding strips 18 to prevent tools from sliding from the tray. TheL-shaped or angle bar 20 is provided with openings 22 for nails or thelike and the solid bar 16 is adapted to be removably positioned in thebar 20 and secured thereto by the nails which enter the openings 22 inthe bar 20, the bar 20 being secured to the long side of the tray 13 bywelding or the like.

The C-clamps are provided with thumb screws 24 which are threaded in ahub 26-, and upper ends of the clamps are secured to the panel 10 byrivets or fasteners 28 as shown in FIGURE 5.

'In use the attachment may be mounted directly on the upper platform orhead of a step-ladder by the clamps 11 and 12, or particularly with thebar 16 removably attached to the bar 20 the bar 16 can be removed fromthe bar 20 so that the attachment may be carried in a tool box or kitand applied to a step-ladder or the like as desired.

With the attachment in place the step-ladder may be positioned on unevenground and the tray 13 placed against a wall surface. Should the groundor wall surface be uneven the swivel connection of the tray will permitthe tray to turn until it fits snugly against the surface. By this meansthe possibility of injury to a person using the step-ladder issubstantially eliminated.

It will be understood that modifications within the scope of theappended claims may be made in the design and arrangement of the partswithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An attachment for a ladder comprising a panel, clamps secured to theundersurface of the panel for mounting the panel on the head of astep-ladder, an inverted frustro-couical-shaped stud extended upwardlyfrom the panel, a tray having an opening therein provided with a bevelededge formed to coact with the stud for providing a swivel mounting ofthe tray on the panel, said tray being of trapezoidal formation andhaving an L- shaped bar secured to a long edge thereof and a solid baradapted to be removably poistioned in said L-shaped bar whereby said barwill bridge a window frame when said step-ladder and said attachment arepositioned in operational engagement with said window frame.

2. In a step-ladder accessory, the combination which comprises, a panelhaving clamps for mounting the panel on the head of a step-ladder, atrapezoidal tray positioned on the panel and connected thereto by aswivel joint, an L-shaped bar secured to the long side of the tray and asolid bar adapted to be positioned in said L-shaped bar and removalblysecured thereto.

3. In a step-ladder attachment, the combination which comprises arectangular-shaped panel having C-clamps extended from the lower surfaceand a frustro-conicalshaped stud extended upwardly from the uppersurface, the large end of the stud being spaced from the upper surfaceof the panel, a tray having a molding on the peripheral edge thereof andan inverted frustro-conicalshaped opening therein mounted on the paneland positioned with the stud in the opening providing a swivelconnection between the panel and tray, an L-shaped bar secured to thelong side of the tray and a bar positioned in said L-shaped bar andremovably secured thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,825,590 Hollister Sept. 29, 1931 2,806,642 Miele Sept. 17, 19572,882,003 Stifl'ler Apr. 14, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 268,709 Great BritainApr. 7, 1927

